Printing mechanism



oct. 4, 1938.

vJ. w. BRYcE PRINTING MEGHANISM Filed Nov. 9, 1955 Z5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY f J. w. BRYcE l 42,131,913

PRINTING MECHANISM Oct. 4, 1938.

Filed Nov. 9, 1955 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY] i lOcv:t.4, 1938. l *A .1.w. BRYCE I 2,131,913

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 9, 1955 s sheets-sheet s FIGB. v D oa: Jaun v1' 120 (D D O 12 12 101y I; O SURNAME GOFIQSTONAM s E 1 1 O 1 1 2 Z 2 Z a a 7 0 a a 4 40 4 v4 s s o o 5 5 s e O O 6 6 1 1 7 7 a a O 8 e 5 s Y s `S A' 2 365" 1 I 9Il.1318141315111131'211111!Zlallwlln-JMH'KTIQIIMJI Ollll FIGA.

DDE JOHN rT CAMPBELL RICHARD M Rows ALFRED s SMITH SAMUEL 'F |65- -JOHN T DoE RICHARD M CAMPBEL lALFRED s. RowE SAMUEL SMITH FIGB.

r-a Y l. vl

' 1 CYCLE I ENTOR AirToRNEY Patented Oct. 4, 1938' UNIT-ED STATES 2.131,91?.` i PmNrmc ivmcnNIsM James W. Bryce, Glen mage, N. J., signor en International Business Machines Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application November' 9, 1935, Serial No. 49,007

6 Claims.

This invention relates to printing mechanism and more particularly to printing mechanism of the record card controlled type arranged for the printing of alphabetic information. The record cards from which alphabetic or other data are obtained are generally divided into iields, each comprising a definite .predetermined number of information receiving columns. When alphabetic information, such as names of persons or come 10 modities, is entered into such fields of fixed extent, the number of columns utilized in recording the information is dependent on the particular name. Thus, if a record card isarranged with a-eid to receive surnames and a separate eld to re- 15 ceive iirst names, and lif the two fields are adjacent, the vspace Abetween the two names would vary according to the length of the namefn the first eld. record cards, the spacing necessary to provide for 2'0 the possible printing from all columns in the fields would also result in a` varied spacing between the surname and first name `which would vary as the length of the surname, if the latter is 4printed before the` rst name, or would vary as the length of the rst name andf= middle initial, if such are to be printed before the last name. 1

It is accordingly the principal object of the invention to provide means for printing a succession of names vwith a normal space-relationship where the record card from which the'names are derived may contain the same with an abnormal spacing between them.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a shifting device between the record card 35 sensing mech and the columns of printing devices of the ta ulating machine to cause surf names and rst names to be printed with. a normal spaced relationship. I

A further object of the invention yis to provide o means for permitting the printing of surnames and A-relatediirst name in normal orderrorv in reverse order and maintaining them in normal spaced relationship for Ieither order.

Various other objects and advantages-'of the 45 inventionl will be obvious from the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying. the invention o'r from an inspection of the accompanying drawings; and the invention also constitutes certain new and usefulfeatures 50" of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set'forthand claimed. I i

In vthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional-view through a f typical printing mechanism to' which the present 55 invention may beap'plied.

In printing under control of these4 spac Fig. 2` is a wiring diagram of the electric circuits necessary for carrying out the invention.

Fig; 3 is a representation of a record card having fields of fixed extent in which names may be enteredin the form of perforations.

Fig. 4 is a specimen of a printed record card in which the surname precedes the rst name and initial.

Fig. 5 is a further specimen of a printed record j in which theiirst name and initialprecede the surname.-

Fig. 6 is a chart showing the timing relation of certain ofthe controlling contact cams.

In Fig. ,3 is shown a record card having two fields -headed Surname and First name. in each of which various names may be entered in the form of perforations and it will be appreciated that more, or less, columns will be utilized in each' field according to the particular name entered therein. It will be appreciated that in place of 2o surnames and -iirst names, the entries may represent names of commodities and descriptive information. In usual tabulating practice, an entirev field, such as that headed Surname is con--l nected to a bank of printing type bars equal in number to the number of columns contained in. the eld and the second field is similarly connected to another bank of type` bars. If these .banks are adjacent one another,.it is obvious that printing will ,take place with spacing between the .30 two names, which is dependent upon the number` of unused columns in one of the fields. For

example, for the card illustrated in Fig. 3, where fifteen columns are allotted to vthe Surname and ten columnsto the First name, if printingv is to take place with the surname preceding the first name, it will appear as follows:

Doe.. .-JohnT. This separatesthe two names by twelves spaces. 40

For another recordv with the vname Richard M. Campbell, the printing would appear as follows:-

Campbell Richard M.

\This will vgij/e sevenl spaces between the names. l Thi's'form of' printed record is frequently unde-l sirable and the mechanism to be described hereinafter will point out how the variable spacing betweennames is changed to a constant single e. l a Before explaining the speciiic manner in which 5o this .is brought about, a brief explanation will be given of theprinting mechanism to which the invention has been applied. -This printing mechanism is the same as that shown and described is suitably guided vreaches the printing line.

in Patent No. 1,947,259, granted February 13, 1934, to A. E. Gray.

A vertically reciprocable crosshead III (Fig.1) for up and down movement and carries group selector bars I'| therewith which, in turn, are vertically shiftable on the crosshead I0 and held in the position shown with respect thereto by springs I2. Each bar'is provided with-teeth I3 corresponding in number and arrangement to the twelve index point positions on the record card (Fig. 3). 'I'he 'upward movement of crosshead I0 is synchronous with the movement of the perforated cards through the machine so that as the index point positions 9, 8, 7, 6, etc. successively pass the analyzing brushes, the corresponding teeth Il of bar I| successively, and in the same order, pass the nose of the pawl I4 carried by type bar Il. The crosshead I0 slows ward movement so thatthe more closely spaced teeth at its lower end pass pawl I4 as the corresponding index point positions 0, 11, and 12 of the card are analyzed. 'I'he pawl Il is normally latched in position out of the path oi teeth Il' and energization of a magnet I! will release the pawl for engagement with one of the teeth Il whereupon the type bar Il will be picked up and carried along with the crosshead I0. In this manner the type bar is coupled to the crosshead and moved upwardly thereby to present the type y element |`l corresponding to the tooth I2 engaged by pawi I4 to the printing line of the platen il.

In this manner any numeral or other character represented by a single index point perforation in a card column may be selected for printing, the particular one selected depending on the index point perforated in the card column. Where alphabetic characters are to be printed. a magnet i9 is energized under control of the so-called zone perforations in the 0, 1l, or 12 index point positions and the circuits are arranged so that the magnet I8 is responsive to perforations in the 9 to 1 positions, while the magnet I9 is responsive to the remaining positions.

The operations involved in selecting an alphabetic character for printing may best be understood-by tracing a particular example. Assume the character and 11 index this column crosshead III positions of the card column. As traverses the analyzing brushes. is rising synchronously therewith.

up-stroke as the card continues to traverse the brushes. At 11, magnet I 9 is energized causing interception of type bar I5 through the tripping of pawl 2li and with it bar |I, stopping the latter two steps or type positions before the 6 type thus presenting the 0 type for printing. Had magnet II been energized at 12, the type bar would be stopped one step before the 6 type position and if the magnet I8 were not kenergized at all, type bar Il would advance to the limit of stroke of crosshead I0 to present the 6 type to the printing line.

The circuits for controlling the'magnets I6 and I9 in accordance with theA disclosure in the patent referred to are Shown in Fig. 2. As the card passes the usual lower analyzingv brushes LB, circuits are completed from one side ofl line 2|, through cam contacts T4, T5, which are closed only during the passage of the card by the brushes, lower card lever contacts LCL, a distributing commutator 23, to the common oondown near the end of its'up-` in the cli-emit, identiiied by characters in 'the Il ample, socket l brushes 29 of a commutator 30, through a wire 3| to magnet I9 and thence through a commutator 32 to the other side of line 3l. The commutators l0 are arranged to electrically connect their brushes 29.during the transit of 1the index point positions 0, 11, and 12 past th'e lo'w'er brushes and to open such connection at other t`imes. 4'Ihe initial circuit to the magnet I6 is traceable from the plug socket 25, connection to 34 to socket l22, plug.connection.22q.,to socket 2| and to magnet I6, and thence through commutator 36 to line n. In this manner, in any column in which a socket 25 is plug connected to a magnet I6 and also to a corresponding magnet Il, the former will receive all impulses through perforations in all index point positions and the latter will receive impulses through the 0, 11, and 12 index point position only.

It will be observed that in those columns in which numerical listing is desired, it is only necessary to connect the magnets IB. In the co1- umns in which alphabetic listing is desired, both magnets I0 and I9 are plug connected.

In the foregoing,fonly so much of the op# eration of the printing mechanism as is nec;

essary for an understanding of the present invention has been described yand for further details oi construction and operation, reference may be had to the aforementioned patent.

'I'he features involved in the present invention will now be set forth. In Fig. 2 are shown the upper brushes UB which the record card passes exactly one machine cycle before it passes the lower brushes LB. These upper brushes terminate in are shown connected in the diagram. In order to minimize the duplication of similar devices the arrangementis shown as'limited to the handling oi' a five column field for one name and a. four column eld for the second name. and it will vof greater magnitude, additional devices, similar to those about to be described, may be provided. -.In Fig. 2, the ve sockets 36 related to the brushes which read the ilve columns in the "Surname eld are connected by plug connections 31 to 'sockets Il. As the card moves by the upper brushes JB, circuits willvbe completed in those columns in which a perforation appears.' Such circuit may be traced from line 2|, throughY cam contacts 38a which control the iiow of current to the upper brush contact roller I8, through the uppermost brush UB, for ex- 36, connection 3l, socket 38, wire III, a relay IA, upper card-lever contacts UCL, cam contacts TI, to line 33.

The contacts UCL are closed by the presence of a card at the upper analyzing station and the contacts TI are closed while the card is between the brushes and their cooperating contact roller. Magnet IA will close its contacts IAI and. IA2, the former providing a holding 4 circuit which extends from line 33, contacts TI, UCL, magnet IA, contacts |AI. wire 4|, to line 2|. The closure of contacts |A2 to whose socket26 a connection.

plug sockets 36 and ve such sockets.

be understood that for fieldsv establishes a f socket 21,"thence through the appropriate wire closed contacts T2, relay magnet print control magnets Il trolled in line 33, contacts T2, magnet IB,

positions, the

circuit traceable from line 33, through normally IB, contacts |A2, cam contacts T3, wire 4|.-to line 2|.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that4 the circuit ljust traced is lnot completed until `contacts `T3 close near until the second circuit is completed, ond circuit; the contacts |BI are closed, providing a holding circuit for the magnet |B from contacts IBI, wire 4|, to line 2|, 'which is held by the contacts T2 throughout the next following cycle during which the card passes the lower brushes LB. At theend of the cycle, the holding circuitv for the magnet IA` is released, thus permitting its re-energization during the next cycle in response to a' perforation inthe next following card. f I

In the same manner, if a perforation were sensed by the second brush UB from the top, a circuit therethrough would energize relay magnet 2A and through its contacts 2A2 would cause the end of the cycle and that the circuit through the magnet IA is maintained by the contacts TI Upon completion of this secciosedreontscts rnb, closed as explained above. due to the energization of its controlling magnet 3B, thence through contact 4BG, which is in closed position since its magnet 4B has not been L had contained .only

energized, there being only three letters in the Surname, wire 4 3, tosocket 22 and connection 22a to socket 23, and thence branching to the magnets I6. I9 to select the'chaIacterVA" for printing. By examining the circuit connections, it will be found that the' letter "D" is connected to control a denite pair of magnets I6, |9, the letter O to the next adjacent, the letter E tothe third, and the letter A to the fth, thus providing for a blank space in which no printing is effected between the last letter of` the surname and the latter.A. j

It will also be observedthat it the surname two letters, only the IB and Y2B magnets and their relatedjcontacts would tacts 3Ba, and through energization of relay magnet 2B and the oo nsequent holding circuit through contacts 2B|.

Likewise, a perforation in the third position will energize magnets 3A and 3B; in the fourth position, magnets 4A and 4B; and in the iifth position, magnets 3A and 6B. If the name sensed is a ilve position name, all of the magnets will be energized and if of less than five number of pairs of. magnets will equal the number of places in the name. sensed. Each of the B .magnets controls a group of contacts comprising, for example in the IB group, normally closed contacts iB a and normally open contacts IBb, which upon energization of their controlling magnet willbe shifted. y

The plug sockets 25 associated with the lower brushes LB which sense the Surname" neld are connected through plug co ectlons 42 to sock-k ets 21 associated with the type bar printing magnets in the position in which the surname is to be printed. This `manner of connection is efiected when the arrangement of printing is to be in accordance with the example of Fig. 4. The brushes which traverse the First name" neld have their sockets 25 connected through plug connections 43 with plug sockets 44. As the card proceeds past the lower brushes, the

and I9 will be conthe same manner as explained in the The controlling circuits are traceable from line 2| through cam contacts T4. T5, LCL, distributor 23, brush LB.' socket 26, con nection 42, socket 21, wire 34, -to -magnet IB and line 33 nfor the initial energization of the magnet. The circuit will thereafter branch, in response to the second perforation, through wires 2B, brushes 29,

Gray patent.

a speciiic example, for instance. that indicated on the circuit diagram where the surname non is te beroucwed by the nrstietter "A" of the "First name.` The circuitis traceable from the brush LB which senses the letter A through connection 43 to the uppermost socket 44, thence through the line 43 which is accentuated by a heavy line,

wires 3|, to magnets I9 for the Y final selection oi'rthe character to be printed.

thence through (now be explained by tracing the magnet have been operated and the circuit extending through wire would have continued upwardly to go through contacts 2Bb, thence through con- 46 to control printing inthe fourth position'rnagnets I6 and I9, thusvmaintaining the Isinglespace relationship between the two.

By following out the circuit connections for the letters following the first name of each of the names, it will be apparent thatthey control -Surname field and this transposition of plug connections is sufiic'ient to eect the printing in theform of Fig.` 5.'

To take care .of the condition in which a surname or a first name contains a space, each of the IA magnets is provided with an extra set of contacts, for example 2A3, 3M, 4A3etc., so that the occurrence of a perforation in the third letter position may energize, as explained above, '3A and the closure -of the contacts- 3A3 will vcomplete a circuit which is traceable from line 2|, wire 4|, through contacts v3AI, contacts 3A3, and thence through magnet 2A, contacts UCL, and TI, to line 33. Thus, if the magnet 2A has not been closed in response to the presence of a perforation in its related order', the presence ofa perforation inthe next order will serve to energize the magnet.v In this manner the number of pairs of elements A and B which are energized is equal to the number of columnar positions of the record card field to be utilized in recording the name, including spaces taken into account fornames having two parts or where in a card field of the .First name" there is 'also recorded aniiddle initial. It will be understo that the application of the invention is not l ted to the printing of names or other alphabetic designations but may be applied to theprinting 4of code numbers or other symbols, and it is apparent that the arrangement may be such that the spacing may be any desired extent. Whilethere has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modication, it will be understood that various omissions and e substitutions and changes in the form and dethe next adjacent wire tails of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made .by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore .to be limited onlyI as indicated by the `scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is as follows:A

1. In a printing mechanism of the class described, means for sensing a plurality'of separate record card nelds for perforations contained in a variable number of columnsin each ileld, printing mechanismcontrolled by said sensing means for printing characters represented by said perforatlons and further means controlled by said sensing means for causing the characters printed from the separate elds to be printed with a definite predetermined space relationship between them.

2. In a printing mechanism of the class described, means for sensing a pair of record fields of xed extent, one containing perforations representing a surname and the other a rst name. said names being of variable length, printing mechanism controlled by said sensing means for printing said names and further means controlled by said sensing means for causing the surname and first name tovbe printed with a predetermined spacing between them.

3. In a printing mechanism of the 'class described, means for sensing a pair of record fields of fixed extent, one containing 'perforations representing a surname and the other a nrst name. said names being of variable length and the letters 'thereof being perforated in non-adjacent columns of their respective iields. printing mechanism controlled by said sensing means for printing said names, and further means con.

a record card for perforations contained in the .10

columns thereof, a plurality of `printing devices, an operating connection between each analyzing device and one of said printing devices, means for sensing a second field of the record card and means controlled thereby effecting a variable shifting of the arrangement of the connections Vbetween said analyzing and printing devices.

In a printing mechanism, means for sensing a record column of a card, furthermeans for sensing a plurality of columns of a field of said card, means controlled by said field sensing means for determining the number of columns of said eld containing perforations, a plurality oi' printing devices and means controlled by said determining means for selectively connecting said column sensing means to one of said printing devices inaccordance with the number of columns of said field having perforations.I

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which said determining means includes a plurality of relays thereI being one for each column of the field sensed.

JAMES W. BRYCE. 

